The landscape of travel anxieties has dramatically transformed in an era marked by evolving global threats. A comprehensive survey conducted in Winter 2024 has unveiled a pivotal shift in the apprehensions of the world’s most seasoned voyagers. Civil unrest and terrorism have now eclipsed traditional fears of accidents and illnesses, signalling a profound change in the psyche of international travellers.
This stark revelation comes from the Winter 2024 Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, which pooled insights from a broad spectrum of experienced travellers. An alarming 36% of respondents pinpointed civil unrest and terrorism as their topmost concerns while traversing the globe—a figure that represents a threefold increase from previous sentiments recorded in spring 2023. In contrast, concerns over accidents or illnesses have seen a significant downturn, with only a quarter of the respondents citing them as their primary worry, a drastic fall from the 50% reported earlier in 2023.
Dan Richards, the CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a notable figure on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, commented on the findings. “The uptick in concern among global travelers is palpable and understandable, given the current geopolitical climate. Despite this, the spirit of exploration remains undeterred, with individuals continuing to embark on international journeys, albeit with heightened caution,” Richards stated.
In response to the escalating fears, travellers are taking unprecedented steps to safeguard their journeys. The survey revealed that many travellers (34%) are now more inclined to enhance their travel protection packages with security advisory and extraction services. This trend is primarily attributed to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, which have underscored the unpredictability of safety on a global scale.
“Uncertainty breeds caution, and we’re witnessing a surge in demand for emergency medical and security services,” Richards elaborated. “Following the onset of the war in Ukraine and subsequent global conflicts, there’s been a 36% increase in the purchase of these critical services, with expectations for this trend to persist into 2024.”
Beyond the fears of civil unrest and terrorism, the survey also shed light on other concerns plaguing travellers. Issues such as trip cancellations, robbery, theft, and health emergencies like testing positive for COVID-19 and its variants continue to be sources of anxiety, albeit to a lesser extent. Notably, the apprehension surrounding nuclear disasters remains marginal.
This paradigm shift in travel fears underscores a new reality for international travel, where the looming threats of unrest and terrorism overshadow traditional concerns. As the world navigates this turbulent landscape, the resilience and adaptability of travellers are being tested like never before.
Written by: Supaporn Pholrach
